Emily Read Online Free

intense like an electric shock and he jumped up from his desk and strode across the floor of his large office. He opened the door and scanned the foyer for any danger. Sensing none he walked slowly down the staircase. Just before he reached the bottom of the stairs, he saw a woman at the back of the room, touching the sculpture of an eagle that Eric had made for him and, for no apparent reason, his heart began to beat faster. As he approached her, he had the overwhelming sensation that he knew her and the rest of the room seemed to melt away. She turned suddenly and found herself looking up at Vladimir and he was caught by her smile, as it was the purest one he had ever seen.
    ‘ You like the sculpture, I take it,’ Vladimir said, his deep voice was tight. He didn’t understand why he was feeling so strange standing near this woman.
    Emily blushed and replied, ‘Yes, it’s so beautiful, the detail is stunning.’
    She was taken in by Vladimir ’s brutal beauty, almost at odds with how well he was dressed. There was a rawness to his face and Emily fought the impulse to touch it. Vladimir moved closer to her now and she could smell his scent. Instinctively she reached out to touch the eagle again but at the same moment Vladimir reached out and placed his hand on hers. The buzzing was suddenly louder and then, quite clearly, she heard his voice in her head, ‘ My God, you are beautiful. Who are you? ’
    She replied to the message silently, ‘ I’m Emily, who are you? ’ Confused, Vladimir pulled his hand away. He had heard her in his head, he was sure of it. Before he could speak, Claire was with them.
    ‘ Darling, you found Vladimir,’ Claire hugged Emily. ‘I didn’t think you would come.’
    Emily just smiled, her heart was pounding in her chest.
    ‘ Vladimir, this is Emily, the animal whisperer that I told you and Eric about.’ Claire added, ‘Her work with my dogs has saved me a lot of grief.’
    Vladimir smiled at that. Claire ’s poodles were monsters and the work that Emily had done had saved everyone that knew the dogs a lot of grief.
    Emily was confused, it was almost like she had fallen asleep and was dreaming. Trying to think of something to say she stammered, ‘We were just admiring the eagle.’
    ‘ I know, darling, isn’t it beautiful? Vladimir, is Eric here tonight?’ Claire asked scanning the room.
    ‘ No, he is working on a piece for an exhibition next week,’ Vladimir replied, glad that Clare was doing most of the talking; it gave him a moment to observe Emily.
    ‘ Shame,’ Claire smiled, ‘I like looking at him.’ Claire was at an age where such things could be said. ‘Perhaps you should show Emily his other sculptures in your office,’ and with that she morphed back into the crowd, winking at them both.
    ‘ Would you like to see the other pieces?’ Vladimir asked Emily, he wanted to get her alone. Emily paused, a part of her wanted to run away from this man, yet more of her wanted him to touch her again. She nodded not trusting her voice.
    Vladimir led her up the steel stairs to his office, taking care not to touch her as they climbed the steps. When they entered his office he shut the door behind them and for a moment they just looked at each other. Emily slowly reached out and placed her hand in his. A wave of peace and carefree emotions coursed through Vladimir, every cell in his body exploded with it. Then her hand was gone and it was like a big door had been shut, leaving him empty.
    ‘How did you do that?’ he asked her. His body was trembling and he could feel the blood rushing through his veins.
    ‘ I’m not sure,’ she replied, ‘this has only ever worked on animals.’ A look of bitterness crossed his face and she might have missed it but for the flare of emotion that flashed from him. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, ‘it looks like I’ve offended you.’
    ‘ No, it is just…’ and then his mobile rang, it was Eric. ‘One moment please,’ and he turned his